Purdue University researchers have successfully demonstrated wireless charging for a heavy-duty electric truck traveling at highway speeds, marking a first for on-road testing of this kind in the United States.
The demonstration took place on a quarter-mile test segment along U.S. Highway 52 and U.S. Highway 231 in West Lafayette, Indiana. The roadway segment, built by the Indiana Department of Transportation, was designed to transfer power wirelessly to vehicles as they move, eliminating the need for plugs or stationary charging stops.
An electric Class 8 truck provided by Cummins was used during the fall test, charging while traveling at normal highway speeds.
How the Wireless Charging System Works
The system was developed by Purdue engineers and is described by the university as a form of dynamic wireless power transfer. In this context, dynamic means the vehicle receives power while in motion rather than while stopped.
Because vehicles move faster on highways than on city streets, the system must deliver significantly higher power levels to be effective for commercial trucks. During testing, the Purdue system delivered up to 190 kilowatts to the truck while it traveled at 65 miles per hour.
While similar technology has been tested elsewhere, applying it to highways and heavy-duty vehicles presents additional challenges due to speed, vehicle weight, and power requirements.
Cummins Participation in the Project
Cummins worked with Purdue researchers to adapt a prototype battery-electric truck for use with the wireless charging system.
“Cummins is proud to play a role in this initiative by successfully adapting a prototype Class 8 battery-electric truck to integrate with Purdue’s high-power dynamic wireless power transfer system,” said John Kresse, chief technology engineer at Cummins. “The on-road testing went exceptionally well, thanks to strong collaboration between our teams. With its high power and promising cost structure, this technology represents a practical, and potentially game-changing, solution for the future of on-highway commercial transportation.”
Long-Term Research Effort Behind the Test
The demonstration is part of a multistage research effort that began in 2018. Purdue and the Indiana Department of Transportation have collaborated on the project through the Joint Transportation Research Program.
The work is also affiliated with a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center known as Advancing Self-sufficiency through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification, or ASPIRE.
“With this breakthrough system, Purdue has shown that powering large commercial vehicles wirelessly is not just technically feasible but could be a practical and scalable solution for real-world highway transportation,” said Nadia Gkritza, a Purdue professor of civil and construction engineering and agricultural and biological engineering.
What This Could Mean for Electric Trucking
Purdue researchers say one potential benefit of wireless highway charging is the ability to reduce battery size in electric trucks. Smaller batteries could allow trucks to carry more freight while lowering equipment costs.
By delivering power directly through the roadway, the system could help electric trucks stay charged during long trips rather than relying solely on large onboard batteries or frequent stops.
The demonstration highlights ongoing research into how future highways could support electric vehicles of all sizes, including heavy-duty commercial trucks, through embedded charging infrastructure.
Source: Commercial Carrier Journal
